East Palo Alto Police Department, California
End of Watch Saturday, January 7, 2006
Add to My HeroesRichard Allen May, Jr.
Officer Richard May was shot and killed when he responded to a disturbance call.
Officer May responded to the corner of University Avenue and Weeks Street at approximately 1630 hours. When he arrived, he observed several men fighting. As he approached the group, one of the men fled. Officer May attempted to stop that male, when the suspect turned around and opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun, killing Officer May. The suspect fled on foot, but was apprehended later that night. The suspect, a documented gang member, was found with a bullet wound to his leg, that had been inflicted by Officer May before he died.
A 14-year-old police explorer was participating in a ride along with Officer May at the time of the incident, but was not injured.
Officer May was a US Marine Corps veteran and had served with the East Palo Alto Police Department for 18 months. He had previously served for 13 years with the Lompoc Police Department. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Bio
- Age 38
- Tour 14 years, 6 months
- Badge 33
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 459 ReflectionsRest in peace Officer May.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
June 26, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths

Sergeant Joshua Voth
Colorado Department of Corrections, CO
EOW: December 4, 2019

Master-at-Arms Oscar J. Temores
United States Navy Security Forces, US
EOW: November 30, 2019

Sheriff John "Big John" Williams, Sr.
Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: November 23, 2019

Police Officer Rasheen McClain
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: November 20, 2019

Investigator Cecil Ridley
Richmond County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: November 19, 2019

Deputy Sheriff Stephen Reece
Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: November 15, 2019

Deputy Sheriff Makeem Brooks
Northampton County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: November 13, 2019

Detective Jorge Rene DelRio
Dayton Police Department, OH
EOW: November 7, 2019

Police Officer Jonathan Diaz
Lemoore Police Department, CA
EOW: November 2, 2019